CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight, an Incoterm for ocean shipments where the seller pays the cost of the goods, the marine insurance, and the freight to the named destination port. Risk still passes to the buyer once the goods are on board at origin, but the seller arranges and funds the main carriage and a minimum insurance cover to the arrival port.
CIF suits buyers who want the seller to organize ocean transport and basic cover, leaving them to handle import clearance and delivery from the destination port inland. It contrasts with FOB, where the buyer arranges the freight. Texas International Freight works both terms and clarifies the shipping terms so the handover is clean.
